’Shame on you’: SC raps Gurugram police over insensitive probe into rape of 4-year-old

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Mar 25, 2026: The Supreme Court on Wednesday slammed the Gurugram Police for its response in a four-year-old’s sexual assault case and stated that the conduct of officers with the child and her parents reflected “heights of insensivity".

The bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi criticised the officers for cross-examining the child and asserted that this is the “worst form of secondary victimisation" and “disrespect".

The top court was hearing the parents’ petition, in which they alleged inaction by the Gurugram police.

The court had earlier also sought replies from the police and the district judiciary on how the magistrate questioned the child in the presence of the accused.

“Why can’t the police go to the house of the victim? Are they kings?" the Chief Justice asked during the hearing.

The top court bench further raised questions on why the offence was reduced from Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act to Section 10 as Section 6 provides for at least 20 years in jail if the offence is proved, while Section 10 provides for 10 years.

Responding to the bench’s query, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for Haryana, said the charges were changed based on a report from the Child Welfare Committee.

“Please see the police officers. Their station and position… deputy commissioner of police, assistant superintendent of police. If this is the understanding of the offence on a four-year-old child, then what about the rule of law? … Rape is not penal penetration alone," Justice Bagchi said, adding, “Police is clearly not aware. This is yawningly distressing. The highest police officer was involved to bring down the seriousness of the offence from Section 6 to Section 10."

CJI Kant strongly criticised the police action and said, “You have disbelieved the innocence of a four-year-old child. Shame on them. If the state has any respect for the law, they must be immediately transferred."

“You say CCTV is not there. For 15 days, you have not done anything. The moment we take cognizance, you start arresting. Do you want us to tell you why you were busy? This case exhibits the heights of insensitivity," CJI Kant said.

Further, the Chief Justice expressed his disappointment over naming the child in the affidavit. “The whole day we teach, don’t disclose the victim’s identity."

He added that the child’s trauma “multiplied as a result of insensitive, reckless and irresponsible and completely unlawful method of investigation" by Gurugram police.

The entire police force, down to the sub-inspector, made attempts to prove that the child had no proof or that the parents did not make any sense, the Chief Justice said.